Issue - items at meetings - Land at West Blatchington Primary School, Hove: proposed lease to the Education Funding Agency for the purpose of

Report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services (copy attached).

1)           That the Committee approves the continuation of discussions with the Education Funding Agency (EFA), the Board of King’s School and its promoter the Russell Education Trust (RET) and the governing body of West Blatchington Primary School about a proposal to develop the primary school site as a permanent site for King’s School, with a replacement building for West Blatchington Primary School on the same site.

2)           That the Committee confirms in principle that should these discussions be successful and subject to all necessary consents being obtained, the Council would be willing to enter into a 125 year lease for that part of the site occupied  by King’s School (either wholly or in shared use with West Blatchington Primary School) with the EFA at a peppercorn rent.

3)           That the Committee agrees that the matter of the 125 year lease will be referred back to Policy and Resources Committee prior to the lease being signed.

35.1       The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services in relation to Land at West Blatchington Primary School, Hove: proposed lease to the Education Funding Agency for the purpose of a permanent site for King's School. The report sought the permission of the Committee to enter into discussions with the Education Funding Agency, the Board of King’s School, its promoter the Russell Education Trust and the governing body of West Blatchington Primary School about a proposal to develop the primary school site as a permanent site for King’s School, with a replacement building for West Blatchington School on the same site. Should these discussions be successful the Council would enter into a 125 lease with Education Funding Agency at a peppercorn rent.

 35.2      Councillor Bewick addressed the Committee at the permission of the Chair and highlighted that we was speaking in his capacity as the Chair of the Children, Young People and Skills Committee. He explained there was a cross-party group looking at school organisation in the city, and a review due to take place to consider the secondary school catchment areas. The implications of the relocation would be considered alongside the catchment area review.

35.3       Councillor Janio noted his support of the report, and asked that Ward Councillors be kept informed throughout the process.

35.4       Councillor Wealls noted that the move was welcomed by both parents and governors; he noted there were some concerned parent, but issues around transport and distance still had to be worked through.

35.5       The Chair then put the recommendation to the vote.

35.6       RESOLVED:

1)        That the Committee approves the continuation of discussions with the Education Funding Agency (EFA), the Board of King’s School and its promoter the Russell Education Trust (RET) and the governing body of West Blatchington Primary School about a proposal to develop the primary school site as a permanent site for King’s School, with a replacement building for West Blatchington Primary School on the same site.

2)        That the Committee confirms in principle that should these discussions be successful and subject to all necessary consents being obtained, the Council would be willing to enter into a 125 year lease for that part of the site occupied  by King’s School (either wholly or in shared use with West Blatchington Primary School) with the EFA at a peppercorn rent.

3)        That the Committee agrees that the matter of the 125 year lease will be referred back to Policy and Resources Committee prior to the lease being signed.